The Archives

Cold Day in Beulah

Sunday, July 18, 2004

Looking back at the unseasonably cold weather this spring, it’s interesting to note the record high and low temperature that have been set at Theodore Roosevelt National Park over the years. For the months of February through September, every high record except one was set during the 1980s and ‘90s, while almost every cold record was set during the 1960s.

In a publication printed for Beulah’s Golden Anniversary, a story reads, “A big water carnival was sponsored in July of 1962. The committee picked the windiest, coldest day ever recorded in July. But that didn’t slow down the crowd. Hundreds upon hundreds garbed in winter gear and, carrying blankets and hot coffee, clamored (out) to see the show.”

A beautiful new water-ski ramp had been built for the show, but right before the jumps were to begin, the ramp began to lean, and a few minutes later, whitecaps chopped the ramp apart “like a tinker toy… but the show went on and was a success, ramp or no ramp.”

Dakota Datebook written by Merry Helm

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